THE Abacus Employment Hatch Warren Phoenix Flames and Blaze faced the Loddon Spitfires and Hurricanes.

The Phoenix Blaze played first against a strong Loddon side and a very powerful shot in the opening five minutes saw Harry Hartgill managing to get his fingers to the ball, but he could not stop the ball going in and injured his fingers with his first touch.

The game rallied back and forth, with both teams fearless in their approach.

The Blaze managed to pull a goal back, but with Loddon applying pressure, Max Shepherd never backed out of a tackle and tracked back well, while Matthew Bull picked up the man-of-the-match award.

The second game saw the Flames in action and Charlie North covered every blade of grass with his fellow workhorse Charlie Barlow.

The play of the game came as man-of-the-match Fraser Barnett deterred a Loddon attack, feeding the ball to Barlow, whose wonderful lay-off saw Freddy Green produce a sublime finish.

Hartgill returned as striker, recovering from his injury, and he found himself in space with a loose ball and buried it with a left-foot piledriver.

The Flames and Blaze then travelled to Whitchurch to face Whitchurch’s Red and White.

It was without any shadow of doubt a defining moment for the Phoenix and their best performance by far, just three months into their first season.

Midfield maestros Barlow and North tracked back and constantly led the team forward with sublime delivery of the ball to Green, who threatened to score at every opportunity.

Goalkeeper Fraser Barnett had little to be concerned about for the majority of the game.

The Blaze’s trip to Whitchurch evolved into a very successful event for both teams.

Fearless Josh Mugridge was in goal for the first match.

Thomas Woodward, along with Bull, bossed the midfield attacking at will throughout both matches. A great partnership is developing.

Man-of-the-match Dylan Brockbank showed a new side to his game, displaying passion and attitude in abundance .

The man-of-the-match went to Niall Waite for his commitment to keeping the ball out of the net.

Most importantly, both teams enjoyed the games with smiles on their faces.